Opinions on the Mossberg 930 JM Pro Series

[Hokie_PhD]

Does anyone here own one?

I'm asking as I'm wanting to try 3 gun and I'm thinking of getting one. Now, I know I probably should use my Remington 870 pump until I decide if I like 3 gun, but I hate the kick of the 870 (it wouldn't be bad but I have a messed up shoulder that it bothers). I know I can get a recoil pad for it. But to use for 3 gun and have any fun, I'd also need to get an extension tube, and by the time I do a recoil pad and extension tube, I'll have more than I want into it. (although at some time I'll probably get the pad anyway).

All this aside, any excuse is a good excuse to get another gun. So....

I don't have the money for a Benelli or other really expensive shotgun. I've read the good, bad and somewhat ugly on the 930 JM. My impression is that it may be worth trying. But I thought I'd see what folks here think that have bought one, or even used one.

The biggest question is how is the recoil vs the 870? And how is it as far as accuracy and jamming?

I'm also interested in other 930 owners but I'm mostly interested in the 930.

 

[FL-NC]

I was in the same predicament as you when I started in 3 gun. I was leaning towards getting a FN, but even at dealer cost it still stung. A bennelli (which I had experience with in the military) was even more. A friend suggested the JM PRO, and he let me use his. I am totally satisfied with it, and I ordered my own the next day. Just make sure to give it a good cleaning after a match or practice session, and stay away from the cheap winchester loads from wally world- mine likes federals. Another friend uses a Stoeger auto which he likes, but I don't know much about them.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

I was in the same predicament as you when I started in 3 gun. I was leaning towards getting a FN, but even at dealer cost it still stung. A bennelli (which I had experience with in the military) was even more. A friend suggested the JM PRO, and he let me use his. I am totally satisfied with it, and I ordered my own the next day. Just make sure to give it a good cleaning after a match or practice session, and stay away from the cheap winchester loads from wally world- mine likes federals. Another friend uses a Stoeger auto which he likes, but I don't know much about them.

Thanks
I’ve watched many videos, read a ton but it’s not the same as getting first hand information from people like you who can reply and answer questions.

I’d love to hear if there are any other issues that folks have had. My impression is that as you point out certain ammo can be finicky. Cleaning as you mention is very important in these, and I think I’ve seen reference that they take a little bit to break in to become more reliable, consistent and less finitely.

Cleaning isn’t an issue as I always clean my guns after using them, and break in is something I can live with. So any comments on that are appreciated as well as anything else I should know.

 

[FL-NC]

I didn't do a whole lot of mods to mine, except a larger safety, a mesa side saddle, and I attached a safariland 2 shell holder to the barrel on the right side (its meant to go on a belt). This is for reloading on a bolt lock-back during a stage. I attached it using a velcro watch strap. Mine also does real good with Fiochi low recoil slugs. bulkammo.com sells them.

 

[cdb1]

I cannot speak to the JM Pro specifically but can speak to the 930 series. Bought a 930 Combo with 28” field barrel and rifled slug barrel in 2009. Didn’t once use the slug barrel but shot a fair amount of pasture skeet with the field barrel. I’m also recoil sensitive due to three shoulder operations. One of the reasons I purchased a 930 was for the weight and recoil was soft, compared to a pump it was a cream puff. It was also reliable and I would buy another. The only reason I sold it was in 2013 after Sandy Hook I was offered considerably more than what I paid for it new.

If I had the guitas I’d get a Benelli M4 but I don’t.

 

[FL-NC]

I have a second 930 I bought used based on the performance of my JM. It came with a 28", and I got a turkey barrel on sale from Mossberg. It is my go-to for all critters with feathers.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

Thanks guys
I think you’ve helped me to decide that I’m making a good choice.

 

[Mike .45]

I like mine. It did require a short break in period but It was only the first trip and probably less than 100 rounds. Mine has a really aggressive extractor and rips right through the head of cheap Wally World shells. Switched to higher quality ammo and have had zero issues since.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

I like mine. It did require a short break in period but It was only the first trip and probably less than 100 rounds. Mine has a really aggressive extractor and rips right through the head of cheap Wally World shells. Switched to higher quality ammo and have had zero issues since.

View attachment 788753

Thanks
I’ll be saving up for it. And it’s my next gun purchase

 

[bannockburn]

Hokie_PhD

Not a Model 930 but I do have it's predecessor, the Model 9200. Broke it in firing 250 shells of various make and loads, all in one session. Gas system worked fine and helped a lot taking the sting out of recoil (shoulder didn't even hurt the next day). The barrel got a trifle warm but the gun never missed a beat. It's the shorter barreled Turkey model but I use it for just about everything.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

Hokie_PhD

Not a Model 930 but I do have it's predecessor, the Model 9200. Broke it in firing 250 shells of various make and loads, all in one session. Gas system worked fine and helped a lot taking the sting out of recoil (shoulder didn't even hurt the next day). The barrel got a trifle warm but the gun never missed a beat. It's the shorter barreled Turkey model but I use it for just about everything.

View attachment 788778

Thanks. nice cammo.

 

[bannockburn]

Hokie_PhD

Yeah it's Mossberg's version of Woodland camo. Works alright in most environments and has held up really well in the field.

 

[Mike .45]

Recoil is really mild. I should have said that also. It was nice not having a sore shoulder the next day.

 

[WessonOil]

For 3 Gun I'm shooting a 12 gauge 870 Wingmaster with a Nordic +7 tube extension and Hogue stock and forearm.

It decreases the recoil considerably and after 30-40 rounds of 2 3/4 of 7 1/2 shot I have little to no tenderness.

That being said, I'm looking at getting the 930 JM Pro as well.

At least a couple of our guys are shooting them and seem to experience near 100% reliability.

I've run 10 rounds through one and as you can expect, virtually no recoil...certainly far less than a pump.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

You're going to love the gentle recoil of the 930. I don't have the JM, but rather the SPX, and it's recoil is the lightest of any I've shot, even with 00 buck.

 

[Peter Gun]

My shooting buddy started three gun with the JM pro and I shot it a couple times.
I liked it , made me look good with little practice, easy to shoot well no malfunctions I can remember.
He traded up to a taran Benelli which I have also shot. The Benelli is faster and smoother but not 2 grand better to my inexperienced hands

 

[NWcityguy2]

I have a regular 930 which I've modified moderately for 3-gun. They are good guns and the vast majority of them will run fine with proper cleaning/lubing and maybe a small amount of garage gunsmithing. They get the bad rep mostly from the fact they end up in new shooters hands who don't know how to diagnose small problems, or have no idea how to maintain a gas driven shotgun.

Also, it is important to understand that a bit of fear mongering goes into 3-gun shotguns, as they are the lowest round count and highest jam count of all the guns. And I say that in general, and not specifically about the 930, even though its contributions are well known. Some people fear mongering are trying to make a profit as they represent a business that sells higher end shotguns. Some people are regular competitors who really have no clue why another person's shotgun is having trouble, but are more than willing to say it is the gun (as compared to poor shell choice, maintenance, improperly modifications).

The benefits of the 930 is that it is a great value for a made in the USA shotgun, replacement parts are readily available from Mossberg and there are also aftermarket competitive parts out there as well. It will also run a wider variety of loads compared to a Benelli (or any inertia shotgun), and most importantly light loads that are best suited for 3-gun. They recoil less, but it isn't a night and day difference. They are also less prone to parts breakage than another popular budget shotgun, the Stoeger M3000/M3K. The downside is they need constant cleaning for consistent performance and many of them come from the factory needing a little work (this is true of the Stoeger too).

The JM Pro is a good setup from the factory for someone not interested in doing any real modifications to their gun. For someone who is willing to modify their gun though, a stock 28" 930 without top ports on the barrel is a better option. Did I mention no top ports? Good, avoid those. For USPSA/3GN/IMA rules, it's disadvantageous to shoot a shotgun with a lower capacity than 10+1. The highest capacity available on the JM Pro is 9+1, which isn't any better than 8+1 because any good shooter is loading a minimum of 2 at a time. That negates the biggest advantage of the JM (the extended tube) over a stock 930, and the $150 price increase. None of the other upgrades are really that important for someone who is willing to remove metal/plastic from his own gun.

There are certainly other options out there both in and above the 930s price range, but the 930 is a better gun than it is made out to be and I'd buy another one if something ever happened to mine.

If you do get one, make sure to post here and I'll give you some things to inspect and a crash course on regular cleaning.

 

[cdb1]

I have a regular 930 which I've modified moderately for 3-gun. They are good guns and the vast majority of them will run fine with proper cleaning/lubing and maybe a small amount of garage gunsmithing. They get the bad rep mostly from the fact they end up in new shooters hands who don't know how to diagnose small problems, or have no idea how to maintain a gas driven shotgun.

Also, it is important to understand that a bit of fear mongering goes into 3-gun shotguns, as they are the lowest round count and highest jam count of all the guns. And I say that in general, and not specifically about the 930, even though its contributions are well known. Some people fear mongering are trying to make a profit as they represent a business that sells higher end shotguns. Some people are regular competitors who really have no clue why another person's shotgun is having trouble, but are more than willing to say it is the gun (as compared to poor shell choice, maintenance, improperly modifications).

The benefits of the 930 is that it is a great value for a made in the USA shotgun, replacement parts are readily available from Mossberg and there are also aftermarket competitive parts out there as well. It will also run a wider variety of loads compared to a Benelli (or any inertia shotgun), and most importantly light loads that are best suited for 3-gun. They recoil less, but it isn't a night and day difference. They are also less prone to parts breakage than another popular budget shotgun, the Stoeger M3000/M3K. The downside is they need constant cleaning for consistent performance and many of them come from the factory needing a little work (this is true of the Stoeger too).

The JM Pro is a good setup from the factory for someone not interested in doing any real modifications to their gun. For someone who is willing to modify their gun though, a stock 28" 930 without top ports on the barrel is a better option. Did I mention no top ports? Good, avoid those. For USPSA/3GN/IMA rules, it's disadvantageous to shoot a shotgun with a lower capacity than 10+1. The highest capacity available on the JM Pro is 9+1, which isn't any better than 8+1 because any good shooter is loading a minimum of 2 at a time. That negates the biggest advantage of the JM (the extended tube) over a stock 930, and the $150 price increase. None of the other upgrades are really that important for someone who is willing to remove metal/plastic from his own gun.

There are certainly other options out there both in and above the 930s price range, but the 930 is a better gun than it is made out to be and I'd buy another one if something ever happened to mine.

If you do get one, make sure to post here and I'll give you some things to inspect and a crash course on regular cleaning.

An excellent post.

 

[NWcityguy2]

Thank you. I like the M2 Benelli but have never been impressed with the M4. Functional but heavily, poor trigger pull, low capacity, outrageously priced. M4's are a perfect example of a "Govt Gun" IMHO. As long as someone is willing to pay too much for them, there is no need to make them better as time moves on.

 

[z7]

I have one, 600 rds, 5 matches, zero issues

I saw a guys charging knob break while shooting, nothing abnormal, just shooting and stage and the charging knob flew 15ft and hit the RO. It was a clean break, very odd

 

[JRadice45]

Im about 300 rounds into my 22" jm pro and I can say im impressed with the way it cycles. First time out after its initial clean and oil (none on the gas system) and i ran federal low base target loads after 15 rounds of 3 inch 15 pellet 00 buck and no issues. Shot some fiocchi 9 pellet 00 buck, winchester slugs, hornady critical defense 8 pellet 00 buck and no hiccups.

I did note slugs shot a few inches high at 25 (I had already installed the .250 drop spacer kit).

I took it down for cleaning and noticed the piston and mag tube near the pistol was pretty fouled up. I grabbed a green scotch brite pad and within seconds the mag tube was clean again. I disassembled the piston, scraped the lead and carbon off, dried the parts and re assembled.

Another thing i noticed was if you had more than 1 round in the tube and pushed the action release with the bolt forward you would have a double feed. The carrier is notched a bit but not enough to get your finger in there to clear the jam.

I removed the carrier and went to work opening up the notch so I could get a finger in there to clear the jam.

I installed a truglo fat bead which was a bit taller than the lpa bead it came with, slugs still print high, but not as much as with the lpa bead. Buckshot is dead on so if I shoot slugs I will hold low.

 

[1KPerDay]

Is it a jam when you do that or does it just "preload" the lifter like benellis? In other words, if you fired the round in the chamber would the gun cycle proplerly?

 

[JRadice45]

It is a jam, as it releases two shells when you push the button. You have to push one shell back into the tube, then it would fire normally with one shell on the carrier.